Old St. Patrick's Church
(1893-1962)




Present Cathedral
(1963)

St Patrick's Cathedral Parish History

St. Patrick's Cathedral is situated on the corner of Donald and Archibald Streets in Thunder Bay. As the Cathedral it is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Thunder Bay.

Milestones in our History

 


Some Interesting Notes About the Building . . .

  • There are natural springs under the present Cathedral
  • Stained Glass windows from the original St. Patrick's Church were relocated in two of the side Chapels, and in the Sacristy of the new Cathedral.
  • Russell Goodman, the recipient of the Order of Canada for his artistic talent, designed and produced the remainder of the stained glass windows in the present Cathedral, including the large one in the Narthex.
  • The statue of the Sacred Heart (imported from Italy) and carved in Medusa Marble is one of the three original statues which is situated in a side chapel. The other two marble statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary were destroyed by vandalism in 1991.
  • Seven windows in the original Baptistry (now the Memorial Chapel of the Pieta' ) depict the Sacraments.
    The eighth window, a gift to the Cathedral from the artist Russell Goodman, includes a painting of the original St. Patrick's Church and the Coat of Arms of Bishop Jennings, our first Bishop and the builder of our present Cathedral.

 

1641 The Jesuits arrive in the Fort William area.


1848


Fathers Fremiot S.J. and Chone S.J. established a mission two miles from Fort William on Mission Island where the Mission and Kaministiquia Rivers meet.

1891 September 19


Tenders were called for the erection of the new Roman Catholic Church by W.R. Graham, Architect. Tenders were also called for the delivery of 100 cedar or tamarack piles for the church by Jas. Murphy, Chairman of the Building Committee.
1891 September 25


The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Peterborough purchased two lots of land on the corner of Donald and Archibald Streets from John McKellar at a price of $600.00 each.
1891 October 10
The foundation of the Church was put in place. The main building was to be 40 X 80 feet with a vestry of 14 X 24 feet.
1893 August
Father Ludger Arpin S.J. arrived in Fort William. His first entry in the parish registry was dated August 20th, a baptism.

1894 August 26
Bishop O'Connor visited the new church in Fort William for a Confirmation Mass. During this mass, he shared some special news with the parishioners. He announced to them that the Church would be named after St. Patrick, that an incumbent priest, Father Ludger Arpin, S.J. would be their first Pastor, and that a stained glass window of St. Patrick would be placed over the main altar.


1894 April 12


First Marriage ceremony was performed in the new Parish: Matteo Fiorito to Angela Delvecchio.

1924, Fall
First Diocesan Priest. Rev. P.J. Monahan was named Pastor of St. Patrick's.

1928 November 2
Opening of St. Patrick's (Arpin Memorial) High School.
1952 April 29
A decree was issued designating the City of Fort William the Episcopal See of the newly formed Diocese and St. Patrick's Church as its Cathedral.
1952 August 22
The Episcopal Installation of Bishop Edward Q. Jennings, as the first Bishop of Fort William. Rev. P.J. McGuire was appointed the first Cathedral Rector.
1955 September 15
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Fort William purchased two lots adjacent to the Cathedral at a total cost of $45,000.00.

1958 April 1
An additional lot was purchased at a cost of $5,000.00.

1962 September
The old church and Rectory were demolished.

1963 September 15
The Cornerstone Ceremony for the new Cathedral was held.

1964 September 8
The first Mass was celebrated in the newly completed Cathedral.
1970 May 26
The Episcopal Installation of Bishop Norman J. Gallagher as the second Bishop of Thunder Bay (formerly Fort William).

1976 July 21
The Episcopal Installation of Bishop John A. O'Mara as the third Bishop of Thunder Bay.
1991 December 25


The Sanctuary was vandalized just prior to the 8:30 am Christmas Mass. The damage amounted to $65,000.
1992 March 17
The Parish Catholic Women's League donated to the Parish, a statue of St. Patrick carved in lindenwood and decorated in natural colours.
1993 May
The Cathedral celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its founding as a Parish. It's Centenary theme was: "A Journey in Faith".

1995 May 11
Episcopal Installation of Bishop Fred Henry as the fourth Bishop of Thunder Bay.

1999 March 25
Episcopal Installation of Bishop Fred Colli as the fifth Bishop of Thunder Bay.
2005 November 5


The newly refurbished Memorial Chapel of the Pietá  was blessed and dedicated to the memory of the deceased members of our Cathedral Parish. The Catholic Women's League donated the statue of the Pieta'  to the Parish.